I also agree with Susan and Joshua. Just this weekend an undergrad student
came in.  He doing a paper on the impact of the Internet and museums. This
is someone that lives in our immediate area.  And discovered us first in
the Net.  Never been here before, couldn't believe that we were so large.
He'd been to the Kimbell in Fort Worth multiple
times, a small museum.  But we are in its shadow when it comes to
budgets and public awareness.

Another encounter, Dallas is big for conventions.  I've had several
people contact me about events planned for specific times when they will
be downtown for a convention.  Most didn't know about us before the Web
pages, even though they come to Dallas for the same conventions every year.

I'd suggest you get linked to every promotional page about your city.
Think about how someone who doesn't know about the museum lists/resources
would be able to find you.

I've also added a "mailto:" button on every page.  It's increased the
number of messages I receive considerably.

Joanne Ikemoto-Olson
Assistant Visual Resource Manager
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Collections Information Center      | email: [log in to unmask]
Dallas Museum of Art                | http://www.unt.edu/dfw/dma/www/dma.htm
1717 North Harwood                  | voice: 214-922-1314
Dallas, TX 75201                    | fax: 214-954-0174
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On Sun, 1 Oct 1995, susan pointe wrote:

> I agree with Joshua in his opposition to Doering's comments.  Just
> this past weekend I was talking to two teenagers about the CD-ROM
> School Yearbook they created.  Naturally, we we discussed museums'
> creation of CD-ROMS, web sites and virtual spaces, and of course they were fam
il
> iar with on-line museums
> through web sites.  At the time I did not ask if the Web sites
> encouraged their attendence at museums.  However what did excite them was the
> possibility of them WORKING WITH a museum/gallery and creating a
> CD-ROM or virtual space.  Because of computer and on-line technology, two thin
gs
>  were happening:
> 1) a TEENAGER was enthralled with the idea of a museum/gallery
> 2) a TEENAGER was excited about the possibility of his PARTICIPATION
> in the creation of a cultural product.
> Those of us who have worked with young adults know what a difficult audience
> they are to capture.
>
> Computer technology interests me because of its educational potential.
> Specifically, its potential for museums to capture new audiences
> through on-line dialogues that respect, recognize and include a
> variety of knowledges, experiences, opinions, needs and interests in an on-lin
e
> cultural forum.
>
> With regards to audience development, perhaps we are too cautious in
> looking for "surethings" & "garauntees".  Other organizations have
> already begun to explore on-line museum-public dialogues regarding
> cultural identity, etc (see Glasgow museums message on museum-L for
> example).  The possibilities are as limited as our imaginations, but
> if we never explore these possibilities surely they can never succeed.
>
> Although it is extremely important to identify our goals and
> objectives, and our audiences' needs before re-distributing museum
> budgets, as well as the need to critically consider the benefits of computer
> initiatives, there is the seed of a possibility at our doorstep which
> must be explored.  Has Doering any other strategies?
>
> S. Pointe
> [log in to unmask]